Lenovo Group, one of the world's largest maker of personal computers, plans to unleash its LePad tablet PC next year. The device will most likely to be designed for consumers and will compete directly with Apple iPad slate, which is the most successful multimedia tablet device so far.

Unfortunately, not a lot is known about Lenovo LePad slate. At present it is rumoured that the deice would feature 10.1" screen as well as Google Android or Google Chrome operating system. The product is expected to hit the market sometimes in Summer, 2011. The company has not officially confirmed technical details of the LePad, but confirmed intention to release it next year in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Lenovo on Friday also announced a $15.1 million investment program to support developers of mobile Internet applications and services as the firm looks to expand its software download store, which will work with the LePad. Lenovo said Guangzhou Hua Yue Digital Technology Co. is the first company to receive support from the program, for its work on e-book reader applications.

Earlier this year Lenovo said that it was considereing release of ThinkPad-branded slate aimed at business users. Regrettably, the destiny of the project remains unknown.

Tags: Lenovo, ThinkPad, LePad, Google, Chrome, Android